Folding case.



PATENTED AUG. 18, 1903.

J. J. O'BRIEN.

FOLDING CASE.

API LIOATION FILED SEPT. 15, 1902.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES.

in: NORRIS PETERS co, movoumu, WAsMlNcnu-4. D. c.

' UNITED STATES JOSEPH JOHN OBRIEN, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA.

Patented August 18, 1903.

FOLDING CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,871, dated August 18, 1903.

Application filed September 15, 1902. Serial No. 123,510. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH JOHN OBRIEN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of San Jose, in the county of Santa Clara and State of California, have invented a new and Improved Folding (Jase, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a case which may be conveniently folded into compact form without in any way detracting from the durability and neatness of appearance of the case and without materially increasing the cost thereof.

The invention is especially designed for application to the usual telescopic valises, although it is apparent that it may be used in many other connections.

This specification is a specific description of one form of the invention, while the claims define the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference i11- dicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

which I prefer to provide with a handle a.

after the usual custom. B indicates the lower section, and 0 indicates the straps which are passed around the two to hold them together.

In the other views I have shown only one section, since, as before intimated, the two sections are essentially duplicates.

In Figs. 2, 3, and 4, 10 indicates the top of the section, which is formed, preferably, relatively rigidthat is to say, this section is not intended to fold on itself. 12 indicates the end walls, and 1% indicates the side walls. The end and side walls are connected to the corresponding edges of the top 10 by means openings 20,formed in the flaps 16,directly adjacent to the hinges 17. v The clasps 19 are preferably of the construction shown-thatis to say, comprising a swingingspring-pressed finger which enters the openings 20 and is then drawn laterally to hold the flap 16 snugly against the inner sides of the side walls 14. These clasps may, however, be changed in form as desired. I do not wish to be limited to the precise form of the clasps.

Fastened to the inner side of the top 10, at each end'thereof, are springs 21, which are adapted to engage the end walls 12 when folded, these springs tending to throw up said Walls and facilitate opening the case. One side wall is provided at its lower edge with a clasp 22, and this clasp is adapted to work with an opening 23, formed in the edge of the other side wall. Said clasp 22, like the clasps 19, may be of any desired construction.

In manipulating the folding section when said section is extended into an operative position the clasp 22 is inactive, but the clasps 19 are engaged with the flaps 16, and these flaps are therefore held firmly against the inner sides of the walls 1st, thus keeping the case in proper form. In order to fold the section, the clasps 19 should be released and the side walls let thrown downward on the top, the case being reversed or turned upside down, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. This places the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 3, the end walls 12 swinging outward and the flaps 16 swinging down on their hinges 18. The end walls 12 are then thrown inward over the sidewalls and the clasp 22 should be engaged with the opening 23, thus iirmly locking the sections of the case together and holding said sections folded in flat or knockdown form. Toopen the case it is only necessary to re verse the above-described operation. Then the sections A and B are extended in operative position, they are used exactly the same as the sections of the usual telescopic case.

I desire it distinctly understood that I am not limited to the precise construction and arrangements of the parts as shown in the drawings, these drawings merely representing an example of a practical embodiment of the invention. Hence I consider myself entitled to all such variations as may lie within the scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A folding case comprisingamain section, end and side walls hinged thereto, and triangular flaps connecting said walls, said flaps having their diagonal edges hingedly connected with one wall and their vertical edges hingedly connected with the adjacent wall.

2. In a folding case, the combination of the body member and two members swinging thereon, said members moving around crossing axes, and a flap connecting the said swinging members, the flap having a diagonal edge hinged on one member, and a second edge hinged on the second member, the second edge extending approximately at right angles to the axis of said second member.

3. A folding case comprising a main section,

end and side walls hinged thereto, triangular flaps connecting said walls, said flaps having their diagonal edges hingedly connected with one wall and their vertical edges hingedly connected with the adjacent wall, and a clasp for removablyholdin g the flaps snugly against the side walls.

4. In a folding case, the combination of the body member and two members swinging thereon, said members moving around crossing axes, a flap connecting the said swinging members, the flap having a diagonal edge hinged on one member, and a second edge hinged on the second member, the second edge extending approximately at right angles to the axis of said second member, and a clasp for removably holding the flap snugly against the side of the first-named swinging member.

5. A folding case comprising a main portion, end walls hinged thereon, side walls hinged thereon, flaps connecting said end and side walls, each flap having a square and a diagonal edge, and said edges being respectively hinged to the end and side walls.

(3. A folding case comprising a main portion, end walls hinged thereon, side walls hinged thereon, flaps connecting said end and side walls, each flap having a square and a diagonal edge and said edges being respectively hinged to the end and side walls,and clasps for removably holding the flaps snugly against the inner sides of the side walls.

'7. A folding case comprising a main portion, end walls hinged thereon, side walls hinged thereon, flaps connecting said end and side walls, each flap having square and diagonal edges, and said edges being respectively hinged to the end and side walls, a spring arranged to bear against the flaps when folded for the purpose specified, and means for releasably holding the flaps closed.

In .testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH JOHN OBRIEN.

Witnesses:

LUMAN GARD, FRANK P. RICHARDS. 

